The Best New Training Methods in OSRS for 2026

Old School RuneScape continues to evolve, and as we head into 2026, players have more training options than ever before. Major updates tied to Sailing, Valamore, and recent PvM expansions have introduced an impressive range of new skilling methods—some highly efficient, others more relaxed, and a few that simply add variety to the grind toward level 99.

This guide highlights many of the newest training methods currently available in OSRS, covering combat, skilling, and gathering. While exact experience rates will vary depending on gear and levels, these methods provide fresh alternatives to long-standing metas and give players more freedom to train the way they enjoy most.

Combat and Slayer: Griffins and Frost Dragons

One of the standout combat additions comes from regular griffins, a lesser variant of the Shellbane Griffin. Unlike their larger counterpart, these griffins don’t require a Tortugan Shield, but players must maintain at least 30 equipped weight to avoid being pushed back. They are fragile enemies, especially when attacked with stab weapons or air spells.

With solid gear and stats, players can defeat over 300 griffins per hour, resulting in approximately 35,000 Slayer XP per hour, making them a solid mid-to-high-level Slayer option.

Another major highlight is Frost Dragons, which offer a relaxed but rewarding training experience. Despite having no Slayer level requirement, they can be assigned by Neive or Duradel once the relevant quests are completed. Their 100% weakness to fire spells makes them ideal for magic training, especially when using a Dragon Hunter Wand and Tome of Fire.

At peak efficiency, Frost Dragons can provide around 125,000 Magic XP per hour, along with 37,000 Slayer XP per hour on-task. Their drops remain in high demand, making them a great blend of profit and experience.

Prayer Training: New Bones, Same Rules

The introduction of Strikeworm Bones and Frosted Dragon Bones added new Prayer training options, but cost-efficiency remains a concern. While Strikeworm Bones can offer around 210,000 XP per hour at a gilded altar, they are currently less efficient than standard dragon bones.

Frosted Dragon Bones, while powerful, are extremely expensive. Using them at a gilded altar can exceed 800,000 XP per hour, but at a cost of over 10 million RuneScape gold per hour. For most players, bone crushers or Sinister Offering remain better long-term solutions.

Runecrafting: Faster Astral Runes

Runecrafting received a subtle but impactful improvement with the Teleport to Two Boats spell. Requiring level 76 Sailing, this teleport provides faster access to the Astral Altar compared to the traditional Moonclan Teleport.

With full Runecrafting outfit bonuses and Day Essence, players can reach approximately 90,000 XP per hour, crafting over 23,000 Astral Runes for roughly 1.3 million GP per hour—a strong upgrade for both profit and efficiency.

Construction: Mahogany Hull Parts

A lesser-known but effective Construction method involves crafting Mahogany Hull Parts at a sailing workbench. Requiring level 41 Construction, this method offers a middle ground between cost, effort, and experience.

Players can earn up to 300,000 Construction XP per hour, costing around 10 GP per XP, making it cheaper than traditional mahogany furniture while being significantly less click-intensive than Mahogany Homes. Teak variants are also available for lower-cost alternatives.

Herblore: New Potions, Mixed Results

Recent updates introduced several new Herblore potions, including Super Fishing, Super Hunter, Extended Stamina, and Armadyl Brews. These potions provide respectable XP for their level requirements, but ingredient scarcity keeps costs volatile.

While some potions appear promising long-term, most players should wait for prices to stabilize before committing to them as a primary training method. Notably, these new potions currently cannot be one-ticked, limiting their efficiency compared to older Herblore metas.

Thieving: Port Roberts Stall Stealing

One of the most surprising additions is stall stealing at Port Roberts. These stalls technically have infinite stock, but rotating guards will catch inattentive players.

At lower levels, players can earn around 120,000 Thieving XP per hour, while level 87 unlocks advanced routes capable of reaching 250,000 XP per hour. This puts the method surprisingly close to Pyramid Plunder and blackjacking—at a fraction of the effort.

Crafting, Hunter, and Mining Highlights

Spinning hemp and cotton at spinning wheels offers competitive Crafting XP, with hemp yielding around 95,000 XP per hour and cotton reaching 140,000 XP per hour, along with modest profits.

Hunter saw major gains with crab trapping, ranging from Red Crabs at level 21 (55,000 XP/hr) to Rainbow Crabs at level 77 (150,000 XP/hr). These methods are relaxed and profitable, making them excellent alternatives to traditional Hunter training.

Mining lead ore at level 25 provides up to 90,000 XP per hour via power mining, outperforming iron ore at similar effort levels. Nickel ore, while profitable, offers poor XP and is best left to Ironmen.

Farming: New Hardwood Trees

Perhaps the most impactful long-term addition is the introduction of Campfor, Ironwood, and Rosewood trees for Farming. Planted at hardwood patches, these trees offer massive experience rewards when fully grown.

Campfor: ~17,000 XP

Ironwood: ~20,000 XP

Rosewood: ~23,000 XP

These values surpass even Redwood trees, making them an excellent addition to farm runs for players chasing level 99 or the Farming pet.

Final Thoughts

OSRS in 2026 offers more training flexibility than ever before. Whether you prefer efficient grinds, laid-back skilling, or profitable hybrid methods, these new additions ensure there’s always a fresh path to progress. While not every method reshapes the meta, many provide strong alternatives that make the journey to your next goal far more enjoyable. Having enough cheap Runescape gold can be very helpful.